Sacred Heart - Inspiring Health

1 5 S A C R E D H E A R T E A U C L A I R E . O R G S A C R E D H E A R T E A U C L A I R E . O R G 1 5 IN THE NEVER-ENDING struggle against household clutter, the annual spring clean is the Super Bowl of sorting. From stacks to piles, closets to cabinets, nooks to crannies, when it comes to tackling spring cleaning, the mere sight of a mop can make you want to crawl under the bed with the dust bunnies and stash yourself away until summer. However, a clean house can help you reach a clean bill of health by ridding your residence of germs. Take on big tasks in small batches by concentrating on the detail work. Remember to unplug all appliances before you start to deep clean a room. KITCHEN Clean small spaces and appliances first. Microwaves, toaster ovens, coffee pots, knobs, and handles can be hotspots for germs. Using hot water with lemon juice softens grease and spills you may have let linger, such as melted cheese or dried coffee grounds. Remove unsightly rust spots, splatters, and baked-on food by gently rubbing the area with a balled-up piece of aluminum foil—careful not to damage the surface by scrubbing too hard. Don't forget those "out of sight, out of mind" spaces that need your attention, too, such as bins in the refrigerator, which can house food debris. BATHROOMS Tidy up vanity drawers, shelves, and cabinets first. Check the expiration dates on medicines, toiletries, and cosmetics. Properly discard any out-of-date items (never flush them), being mindful to keep them out of reach of children. Throw out broken, dirty, or "almost empty" bottles of shampoo, lotions, and body wash. Watch for mold that may be lingering on shower caddies. Sort through towels and washcloths. Give stained or hole- ridden oldies new life as dust cloths. LIVING ROOMS AND BEDROOMS Make a sweep of each room for trash, magazines, or newspapers that can be recycled, broken items such as furniture and electronics, burned-out light bulbs, dirty upholstery, and stained carpets and rugs. Make a schedule to repair or clean salvageable items and donate the rest. Air out linens or clothing stored in closets to ensure no unwanted pest or mildew is lurking within the folds. Clean or replace your vacuum filter, as it can harbor dust mites and bacteria. LAUNDRY AREA With the help of a lint-removal brush, deep clean your dryer hoses and vacuum behind the dryer to prevent a fire hazard. B less This M ess AVERSE TO CLEANING? SAVE TIME AND EFFORT WITH THIS GRIME-BE-GONE CHECKLIST FOR A TIDY TRANSFORMATION AND IMPROVED HEALTH. Is "Antibacterial" Beneficial? Research has shown that antibacterial cleaning products are no more effective than regular cleaning products and don't actually kill viruses, which cause the majority of illnesses people experience when encountering germs and bacteria. Shop for nontoxic and environmentally friendly cleaning products instead. > Has your spring cleaning activated your allergies? If so, visit Sacred Heart Urgent Care, open seven days a week, 6 a.m.–10 p.m., or St. Joseph's Urgent Care, open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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